So by the time it was 24-0 late in the first half; by the time Alabama had twice intercepted Wilson’s backups (that’s right, I said backups, plural) and recovered a muffed punt to set up another score, the only uncertainty left was how many of the 70,000 fans would show up for the second half to sit through a steady rain – and bad football.

At least bad for Arkansas. For Alabama, it was more of the same. Run the ball with power, throw play action, make game-changing plays on defense. Eddie Lacy scored two touchdowns, and quarterback A.J. McCarron – who hasn’t thrown an interception (much less made a mistake) this season – was nearly flawless.

Arkansas could do little with Brandon Allen and Brandon Mitchell rotating every play in place of the injured Wilson. An offense that had so much potential going into the season, had just 44 total yards.